Celebrating the True Reason for Christmas Year-Round: The Nativity Encounter

For many people, Christmas is a season filled with lights, gifts, music, and family gatherings. Yet beneath the traditions lies the heart of the holiday: the birth of Jesus Christ. Too often, that message gets overshadowed in December and then forgotten as soon as the new year begins. But what if Christmas wasn’t meant to be confined to one month? What if the message of the manger—God’s love revealed through Christ—was something we carried with us daily, shaping how we live, serve, and worship?

This is the vision of The Nativity Encounter in Bethlehem, an immersive Bible discovery center designed to keep the true meaning of Christmas alive all year long.

An Encounter With the Gospel, Not Just a Holiday

The Nativity Encounter is more than a seasonal display or a retelling of a familiar story. It is a transformative, interactive experience built to engage both locals and pilgrims in the living message of the Gospel.

Situated in Bethlehem—the very city where Jesus was born—the Encounter immerses visitors in the reality of the Nativity. Through thoughtful design, innovative exhibits, and interactive biblical storytelling, it clears away misconceptions about Christianity and presents the simple but powerful truth: God stepped into our world through the birth of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Unlike seasonal church programs or Christmas pageants, the Nativity Encounter doesn’t disappear with the ornaments in January. Its mission is ongoing, offering a place where hearts and minds can be realigned with Christ’s story any day of the year.

Why Bethlehem?

There’s no place more fitting for this ministry than Bethlehem. For centuries, Christians worldwide have looked to this humble city as a reminder of God’s faithfulness and His promise fulfilled. Yet, within Bethlehem itself, there are cultural and religious divisions that cloud the message of Jesus.

Many local Islamic and Israeli populations grow up hearing misconceptions about Christianity, often without any clear understanding of who Jesus really is or why His birth matters. The Nativity Encounter stands as a beacon of clarity in this environment, inviting people of all backgrounds to experience the Gospel for themselves in a personal, engaging way.

A Ministry of Transformation

Pastor Khoury, who leads this work, has dedicated his ministry to bridging divides and helping people encounter the truth of Christ. The Encounter is not simply about reliving the story of Christmas; it is about sparking transformation.

Visitors don’t just see or hear about Jesus’ birth—they engage with it. They are invited to step into the story, to ask questions, to wrestle with truth. For many, this is their first authentic exposure to Christianity, free from distortion. The impact is profound: locals and travelers alike leave with a deeper understanding of God’s love, His plan of salvation, and His ongoing work in the world.

The Year-Round Message of Christmas

At its core, the message of Christmas is Emmanuel—God with us. That reality doesn’t expire when the decorations come down. Through the Nativity Encounter, the truth of Emmanuel is made accessible year-round, reminding us that Christ’s coming is not just a historical event but a present reality.

Every day, we face distractions that pull us away from Christ. The busyness of life, the pursuit of success, the pull of culture—all can overshadow the Gospel. By offering a continual reminder of the birth of Jesus, the Nativity Encounter invites people to return to the heart of faith: worshiping the Savior who came to redeem.

Beyond Bethlehem: A Message for the World

Though the Encounter is located in Bethlehem, its impact reaches far beyond. Pilgrims from around the world travel there and carry the experience back home, telling others what they’ve seen and felt. Videos and resources featuring Pastor Khoury’s ministry extend the message even further, breaking through borders and language barriers.

For Christians everywhere, the Encounter is a reminder to keep Christmas alive daily in our own lives. We don’t need to wait for December to celebrate. Each day offers the chance to live out the humility of the manger, the joy of the shepherds, and the hope of the wise men who sought the newborn King.

How You Can Respond

The Nativity Encounter invites us into more than observation—it calls us to response. Whether you are a local in Bethlehem, a pilgrim traveling through the Holy Land, or a believer across the world, the message is the same: let the birth of Christ shape your life today.

• Reflect Daily: Spend time in Scripture, remembering the wonder of God coming to earth.

• Share Boldly: Just as the shepherds spread the news, tell others about the hope you’ve found in Christ.

• Live Out the Gospel: Allow the humility, love, and peace of Jesus’ birth to guide your interactions, decisions, and relationships.

• 
  

A Year-Round Christmas

Christmas is more than a season—it is the story of God’s greatest gift. The Nativity Encounter in Bethlehem serves as a powerful reminder that this story is not bound to a calendar. It is alive, it is transformative, and it is for everyone, every day of the year.

As Pastor Khoury and his ministry continue to invite people into this immersive experience, the challenge for us is clear: Will we carry the message of Christmas in our own lives beyond December?

The true reason for Christmas—the birth of Jesus Christ—is worth celebrating every day. And through The Nativity Encounter, countless lives are being touched with that life-changing truth.